New venue for drug and alcohol advice

New base for Substance Misuse Services at West Indian Social Club on Horsedge Street, Oldham.

Oldham’s Drug and Alcohol Service is closer to a move to Horsedge Street after Oldham Council agreed to guarantee the lease.

The council is backing plans by the Pennine Care Foundation Trust, which looks after mental health issues for Oldhamers, to use the former West Indian Social Club.

The substance mis-use service is currently based in Union Street, but the building, which is leased from a private landlord, is too small and urgently needs work because of health and safety issues.

Pennine Care has taken a 20-year lease on the former West Indian club, and the council has agreed to indemnify the trust against any costs and liabilities for the lease.

The club will now be refurbished. The council has already applied to planning chiefs for a change of use.